Chapter 3 Memory

Question 1

memory

Answer 1

an active information processing system that receives, stores, organises and recovers information

Question 2

encoding

Answer 2

the process that converts information into a useable form (code) that can be stored and represented in the memory system

Question 3

storage

Answer 3

the retention of information in the memory system over time

Question 4

retrieval

Answer 4

the process of locating information stored in memory and bringing it into consciousness when needed, to complete a cognitive task.

Question 5

multi-store model of memory

Answer 5

the memory model that visualises memory as a system consisting of multiple memory stores through which a stream of data flows for processing

Question 6

sensory memory

Answer 6

the first stage of the multi-store model of memory; it receives and stores an unlimited amount of sensory information for up to a few seconds

Question 7

sensory register

Answer 7

a subsystem of sensory memory that receives and stores specific sensory information received from a sense of organ

Question 8

iconic memory

Answer 8

the subsystem of sensory memory that receives and stores an unlimited amount of visual information in the form of a visual image for approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of a second

Question 9

echoic memory

Answer 9

the subsystem of sensory memory that receives and stores an unlimited amount of auditory information in the form of an echo for up to 3-4 seconds

Question 10

short term memory (STM)

Answer 10

the second and most active memory system in the multi-store model of memory; stores a limited amount of information entering from sensory memory or retrieved from LTM for a short period of time unless the information is rehearsed

Question 11

magic number 7 (+ or - 2)

Answer 11

the number of single items of information that the average short term memory can hold at any one time

Question 12

chunking

Answer 12

grouping separate items of information to form a larger single information unit (chunk) so our short-term memory can hold more than the usual seven single items of information at any given moment

Question 13

rehearsal

Answer 13

the active manipulation of information in short-term memory in order to hold it for longer than the usual 18-20 seconds

Question 14

maintenance rehearsal

Answer 14

the rehearsal technique involving the repetition of information a number of times so it can be held in short-term memory for a longer than the usual 18-20 seconds

Question 15

elaborative rehearsal

Answer 15

the rehearsal technique involving linking new information in some meaningful way with information already stored in LTM, or with other pieces of new information, to hold it in short-term memory for longer than the usual 18-20 seconds

Question 16

self-referencing

Answer 16

an elaborate rehearsal technique involving linking new information to the self or to personal experience to hold it in short term memory for longer than the usual 18-20 seconds and to increase its chances of transfer to and retrieval from LTM

Question 17

long term potentiation

Answer 17

the long lasting strenthening of synaptic connections of neurons resulting in more efficient functioning of neurons when activated

Question 18

serial-position effect

Answer 18

a pattern of recall for list items, where recall is better for items at the beginning or end of a list than for items in the middle

Question 19

recency effect

Answer 19

the serial-position effect where recall is best for items at the end of a list, then for items at the beginning, then for items in the middle of the list

Question 20

primary effect

Answer 20

the serial position effect where recall is best for the first items on the list, then for items at the end of the list, then for items in the middle of the list

Question 21

long-term memory (LTM)

Answer 21

the third memory system in the multi-store model of memory; used for relatively permanent storage of an unlimited amount of information

Question 22

working memory

Answer 22

according to Baddeley and Hitch, an active subsystem of STM that temporarily stores and manipulates a limited amount of information needed to perform cognitive tasks

Question 23

phonological loop

Answer 23

an area of working memory that stores a limited number of sounds (speech-based and acoustic) received from the echoic memory and/or LTM for up to two seconds unless the information is rehearsed

Question 24

phonological stores

Answer 24

a subsystem of working memory’s phonological loop that holds the sounds we want to keep or are preparing to speak, in their order, for up to two seconds, by subvocalising them; known as the ‘inner ear’

Question 25

articulatory control system

Answer 25

a subsystem of working memory’s phonological loop that holds the sounds we want to keep or are preparing to speak, in their order, for up to two seconds, by subvocalising them; known as the ‘inner voice’

Question 26

visuospatial sketchpad

Answer 26

the area of working memory that briefly stores the visual and spatial information that is received from sensory memory or LTM

Question 27

episodic buffer

Answer 27

an area of working memory that briefly stores a limited amount of sound-based information from the phonological loop and visual and postal information from the visuospatial sketchpad with information retrieved from LTM, and integrates it into a single multi-dimensional representation or ‘episode’

Question 28

central executive

Answer 28

an area of working memory that monitors, coordinates and integrates information received from the phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, episodic buffer and LTM

Question 29

levels of processing model

Answer 29

the theory that after information leaves sensory memory, its storage varies along a continuum of levels of processing ranging from shallow to deep processing; the levels of processing used during encoding determines how long and how well information is stored

Question 30

shallow processing

Answer 30

processing information using structural encoding

Question 31

structural encoding

Answer 31

encoding information according to its basic (structural) perceptual features

Question 32

intermediate processing

Answer 32

processing information using phonemic encoding

Question 33

phonemic encoding

Answer 33

encoding information according to the sound of the word used to identify the information

Question 34

deep processing

Answer 34

processing information using semantic encoding

Question 35

semantic encoding

Answer 35

encoding information according to its meaning

Question 36

procedural memory

Answer 36

a type of LTM for learnt actions and skills that can usually only be expressed as actions

Question 37

declarative memory

Answer 37

a type of LTM for specific factual information that can be expressed in words; subgroups are semantic memory and episodic memory

Question 38

semantic memory

Answer 38

a type of declarative memory for impersonal factual knowledge about the world

Question 39

episodic memory

Answer 39

a types of declarative memory for personally significant events associated with specific times and places

Question 40

semantic network theory

Answer 40

the theory of how information in LTM is stored and organised in a hierarchal network of linked meanings

Question 41

axon

Answer 41

a fibre that transmits information away from a neurones cell body

Question 42

dendrite

Answer 42

a fibre that extends from a neuron’s cell body and receives incoming messages sent from another neuron

Question 43

synapse

Answer 43

the microscopic space between neurons over which messages pass

Question 44

neurotranmitters

Answer 44

brain chemicals released at the synapse that transmit messages between neurons

Question 45

amnesia

Answer 45

a temporary or permanent, partial or complete loss of memory

Question 46

hippocampus

Answer 46

a brain structure buried deep within the brain and extending into the temporal lopes; associated with memory formation and storage

Question 47

amygdala

Answer 47

a cluster of neurons in the limbic system that is associated with memory, learning and initiating fear responses

Question 48

consolidation

Answer 48

the process by which a relatively permanent LTM is formed

Question 49

consolidation theory

Answer 49

the theory that during learning and in the approximately 30 minutes after learning, changes in the brain cells occur as information is transferred from STM to LTM for relatively permanent storage

Question 50

retrograde amnesia

Answer 50

a form of memory loss for events occurring before an amnesia-causing event

Question 51

anterograde amnesia

Answer 51

a form of memory lose for events that happen after an amnesia-causing event

Question 52

neurodegenerative disease

Answer 52

a disease that gradually and progressively kills nerve cells and results in nervous system dysfunction and permanent loss of ability

Question 53

dementia

Answer 53

a general term that describes the symptoms of a variety pf brain illnesses that progressively kill brain cells and result in irreversible structural and chemical changes in the brain that lead to permanent and severe cognitive loss

Question 54

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 54

an irreversible and progressive neurodegenerative disease that gradually kills brain cells, causing severe cognitive and behavioural decline that eventually results in death

Question 55

amyloid plaques

Answer 55

sticky, abnormal clusters of beta-amyloid fragments that collect on the outside of nerve cells, destroying the synapse and the conduction of nerve impulses

Question 56

neurofibrillary tangles

Answer 56

twisted strands of tau protein found in the centre of dead and dying nerve cells

Question 57

acetylcholine

Answer 57

a neurotransmitter that carries information between the synapse of cells believed to be involved in learning, memory and mood